Chapter 85: Showing Weakness Won’t Work!
September 10th, autumn finally graced Long County, the weather turning cool yet the sun still shining, with a very comfortable body temperature of twenty-two to twenty-three degrees Celsius.
At 8:30 AM, after Lu Cheng completed his rounds with the ward round team led by Lin Qianlong, he left the doctor’s lounge carrying his backpack.
Just as he reached the door, Lin Qianlong brushed past him, stroking his chin. Lu Cheng called out, “Director Lin,” and Lin Qianlong turned his head, saying, “Xiao Lu, you were on duty all night again yesterday, weren’t you?”
Lu Cheng smiled and replied, “Yes, Director Lin. I was originally planning to get off work at midnight, but then another patient with multiple tendon ruptures came in, so I stayed.”
Lin Qianlong gestured for Lu Cheng to follow him into the Director’s Office. After opening the door, Lin Qianlong took a deep breath and said, “Xiao Lu, yesterday Director Peng Haibo and Director Xiang Kuihua from Orthopedics came to have drinks with me.”
“Last week, the number of fracture surgeries in Orthopedics Ward One was only five cases; previously, it was usually seven or eight cases.”
What Peng Haibo said about the weekly surgery volume referred to the department’s overall surgical volume, not Xiang Kuihua’s individual volume. Peng Haibo definitely took half of them.
“Yes, Director Lin, the fracture surgery volume in Orthopedics used to be about seven or eight cases a week, around thirty cases a month.”
Lu Cheng transferred from Orthopedics to the Emergency Department. There are definitely people suffering fractures in Long County every day, but not every patient with a fracture comes to the People’s Hospital for inpatient treatment.
Lin Qianlong chuckled, “Xiao Lu, you seem to have quite an impact on Orthopedics, don’t you? You’re almost making it impossible for them to make a living…”
Lu Cheng casually replied, “Director Lin, Orthopedics also handles surgeries for the spine, sports medicine, emergencies, and tendon ruptures. The average performance is definitely higher than in our Emergency Department.”
“Saying they can’t make a living is a bit exaggerated.”
Lin Qianlong motioned for Lu Cheng to sit down. He then lit a “Huang Fu” cigarette, and as he took a puff, smoke curled upwards, his pockmarked face barely visible through the haze:
“However, for a Deputy Chief Physician not to get enough chief surgeon performance, it’s a bit demeaning!!” Lin Qianlong subtly hinted.
Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes, “So what do you mean, Director Lin?”
Ultimately, the county values ability. If you can perform surgery, you get a higher salary; otherwise, you get a share of the common pot, with the bulk going to the skilled surgeons.
“I want to hear your thoughts, Xiao Lu,” Lin Qianlong did not state his position.
Lu Cheng developed new services for the sake of the Emergency Department and the patients. Moreover, Lin Qianlong knew that Xiang Kuihua had privately conducted a very meticulous ‘study’ of the postoperative X-rays following Lu Cheng’s manual reduction surgeries!
Although nothing conclusive has been found yet, Lu Cheng was also operating on the edge!
Lin Qianlong could not pretend not to see Lu Cheng’s efforts and contributions!
While Lu Cheng undoubtedly has talent, his attitude towards learning is incomparable to others in the department.
Bold, meticulous, and capable, such a person would not only succeed at Long County People’s Hospital but would also soar in a private hospital.
“The disease types in Orthopedics are not limited to fractures; in fact, fractures are merely the most basic and classic disease types in Orthopedics.”
“Because they are classic, treatment methods have flourished. Manual reduction is certainly the most ancient treatment method, but as long as the indications are properly controlled… it is also a cheap and effective form of treatment…”
Lu Cheng pursed his lips, “Director Lin, to be honest, if patients undergo manual reduction, they can save a lot on medical expenses, and the results can also be as expected.”
“If I didn’t know how to do it, I certainly wouldn’t deliberately show compassion, but since I know this technique, if I encounter a case and don’t do it, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself!”
“It’s actually very easy to solve. Orthopedics can open a trauma emergency clinic in the Emergency Department, or Orthopedics can develop its own business volume through outpatient services.”
“There are many disease types that Orthopedics can develop. Many patients have to seek treatment outside the county!”
Lin Qianlong took another puff of his cigarette, carefully observing Lu Cheng’s expression.
Lu Cheng’s demeanor was natural, not arrogant, and his tone was calm, without any hint of arrogance or ridicule.
He summarized, “So your meaning is, you want Xiang Kuihua to learn new techniques and conquer new territories himself, and you’re going to take care of the fracture manual reduction part?”
Lu Cheng replied, “Director Lin, no one’s skills are acquired effortlessly. For Director Xiang to casually say something that would nullify the time and effort I’ve invested, why should I?”
“Director Lin, speaking frankly to you privately, they don’t even have the moral high ground.”
I’ve invested my skill points, and you’re asking me to stop?
This reasoning doesn’t apply to Lu Cheng.
Chen Song and Tong Yuan’an are not proficient in manual reduction. With no one to support him in fracture manual reduction, Lu Cheng had to “cross the river by feeling the stones” all by himself!
He had to guard against patients reporting him for ‘incorrect treatment’ and worry about being backstabbed by colleagues. Lu Cheng has overcome all of it. If he says it’s difficult now, Lu Cheng can’t control that much!
If Lu Cheng were to go too far and directly block all fracture patients from entering the Emergency Department, then that would be considered excessive.
One should show leniency when possible; it doesn’t take much to do so.
Lu Cheng continued, “Director Lin, to be perfectly honest, every time I perform a manual reduction, I meticulously review the postoperative follow-up results of those patients every day.”
“At home, I organize the various classifications of fractures, the indications for manual reduction, contraindications, etc. Everyone has invested time and effort…”
Lin Qianlong nodded, “Right!~ Techniques aren’t acquired for free.”
“I mainly wanted to hear your attitude; I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Lin Qianlong took another puff of his cigarette and continued,
“Xiao Lu, you are currently part of our Emergency Department, and I will unconditionally stand behind you.”
As Emergency Surgery is a part of Surgery, it must have its own surgical volume and possess the techniques to genuinely serve patients.
If Orthopedics can perform manual reduction and Lu Cheng has snatched it, then he would hesitate about whether to argue, but what Lu Cheng currently knows are manual reduction techniques that Orthopedics doctors are not proficient in.
Then you shouldn’t say anything!
“Today is Teachers’ Day, and Professor Chen has only allocated his lunchtime for you. You must entertain him well!” Lin Qianlong hinted.
Lu Cheng quickly replied, “Director Lin, I will. After Teacher Chen wakes up later, I plan to treat Teacher Chen to a meal and then take him to get a foot massage to relax.”
“Don’t worry, it’s a legitimate one.”
Lin Qianlong stubbed out his cigarette butt, implying, “I don’t care if it’s legitimate or not…”
Lu Cheng: “…”
Lu Cheng and Lin Qianlong chatted for a while longer. As Lu Cheng was leaving, he noticed Head Nurse Peng Ping, along with a patient and their family member, approaching with a brocade banner, accompanied by the on-duty nurse Tian Duoduo.
Inscribed on it were the eight characters: “Exquisite Medical Skills, Miraculous Recovery.”
Presented to Physician Lu Cheng, Chief Physician Lin Qianlong, and all members of the Emergency Surgery Department.
Lu Cheng immediately turned his head and said, “Director Lin, patient number 3 is here to present a brocade banner, and the Head Nurse is also here…”
Lin Qianlong quickly cleared the ashtray, blew a few breaths into his hands, stood up, and put on his mask…
